Entering UFC 192, all eyes were on the top of the card. That’s normal for combat sports. Main events and other featured contests are what we salivate to watch. After the conclusion of the events, we discuss the fallout and new championship landscapes, but UFC 192 on Saturday was different.
Daniel Cormier and Alexander Gustafsson put on a fantastic show in the main event, but with Jon Jones’ presence looming over the light heavyweight division, there is not a lot of buzz surrounding that championship. Cormier won. That’s it. We are moving forward. So what can we take away and be excited about following the show in Houston?
The future.
The future of the UFC is bright. We have seen a lot of prospects filter through the UFC over the years, but rarely—if ever—have we seen them come through with flying colors like the young guns did at UFC 192.
Five fighters aged 23 or younger won. Not only did they win, but they also did so impressively to offer a glimpse into the high ceiling they have. Who were these five blue-chippers, and why are we excited?
Sage Northcutt — Age 19
Northcutt debuted at UFC 192, and you could have counted me as one of his biggest critics. I wasn’t sold on the hype surrounding him. Sure, he has a good look and is athletic, but his record gave no indication of his true potential.
Northcutt got a favorable draw against Francisco Trevino, and he did what good fighters do against inferior competition. He destroyed Trevino. In just 57 seconds, Northcutt rocked Trevino, took him down and pummeled him until the referee stepped in.
Lightweight is a deep division, but this kid is just 19 years old. The future is bright with Northcutt both in and out of the cage.
Sergio Pettis — Age 22
When Pettis debuted in 2013, he entered with a lot of fanfare, in part because his brother is Anthony Pettis. Sergio was undefeated and had a similar skill set to that of his brother. Nevertheless, he got upset in his second UFC bout.
Pettis dropped to flyweight after back-to-back wins but was knocked out by Ryan Benoit in March. His fight against Chris Cariaso, the No. 10-ranked contender, was a big bout in his young career. And he passed. It was not the most beautiful performance, but he sailed through against a former title challenger.
We have to remind ourselves that Pettis is only 22 and has all the raw skills to be special. He just needs time to develop.
Yair Rodriguez — Age 22
The Mexican prodigy got one of the loudest pops of the evening, and for good reason. The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America winner is a special talent.
Rodriguez did not lose a single round against Daniel Hooker. He beat him up, and the only thing missing was the finish. Rodriguez got to showcase both style and substance. He blends his striking together beautifully, and eventually we will see a highlight-reel knockout.
Rodriguez has the benefit of being in a talent-rich division. There is no reason for the UFC to rush him up the ladder. He can certainly be tested against someone in the top 15, but there isn’t a dire need to jump the gun. The UFC can afford the opportunity to continue to allow the prospect to hone his skills.
Rose Namajunas — Age 23
If you were to believe the ridiculous hype from The Ultimate Fighter 20, you would have thought Namajunas was the second coming of Ronda Rousey. Those who followed her progression through Invicta FC knew that was a laughable notion—but not because Namajunas didn’t have talent.
Namajunas‘ athletic ability and frame make her a top-tier prospect at 115 pounds. She just needs to be refined. There are not many dynamic athletes like her in the division. If she adds the right tools, she will be a handful for anyone at the weight.
She is currently ranked at No. 4. That’s way too high, and competent voters know that. She is even ranked above undefeated Tecia Torres, who holds a victory over her. It’s a bit silly, but I understand the desire to believe in the marketable Namajunas. You can see the potential in her. She just has to live up to it.
Albert Tumenov — Age 23
Versace will want to wait before scheduling Alan Jouban‘s next photo shoot because the hard-hitting monster Albert Tumenov iced him in less than three minutes.
He is a Russian Master of Sport in boxing, and he showcased those hands. After hurting Jouban, Tumenov laced a left hand that made the model face-plant on the mat. Jouban was out like a light. When he came to, he tried to protest as he wobbled about the Octagon.
Of all the prospects who performed well at UFC 192, Tumenov seems most ready for a crack at someone in the top 15. He looks prepared for a test of his skills to see if he can put a number beside his name.
All five of these athletes shined, illustrating that the future of the UFC has several athletes ready to take the reins.
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